Title: Battlefield Communication
This is our closing message from God’s letter to us which came through the Ephesian church.
I hope that there’s many parts of this letter that has had a profound impact on you as it has on me.
Maybe it was the two-sided coin of salvation in chapter 1, which tells us of God’s work from before the
foundation of world and also of our believing after hearing the gospel.
Maybe it’s the fact that God made us alive in Christ because of the great love with which He loved us even
while we were dead in our sins.
Was it one of the passages about honoring others in domestic relationships out of reverence for Christ?
For me, two of the more profound lessons had to do with my personal attentiveness to my relationship with
God.
The first lesson came from 3:16-19 where Paul prays that we might be strengthened so that Christ might
be at home in our hearts so that we might know the full extent of the love of Christ.
What struck me about that hope is how I can affect the degree that Christ is at home in my heart by how
surrendered I am to Him and that affects how well I know His love.
I hope that each of you have learned new truth or have been reminded of truth you’d forgotten.
But, just as has been our theme, I hope that you see the importance of making personal application so
that you can live the truth that you’ve learned.
A second lesson I’m taking away from Ephesians has to do with how important it is that we are vigilant to
be able to stand strong against this world, our flesh, and the devil.
All the pieces of the armor of God resonated with me in the sense that we’re to always be focused on
these elements in the strength of Christ.
This morning’s passage closes out the application metaphor of battle, so we’ll read from verse 10.
* 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
* 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on
the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the
gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Verse 18 begins this morning’s passage, focusing on our weapon for furthering God’s kingdom.
* To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that
words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for
which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
* 21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful
minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may
know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
In closing the letter, Paul plans for the Ephesians to know how they might pray for him specifically.
Paul’s trusted ministry partner, Tychicus, would bring the letter to them.
Tychicus would also give a firsthand update on Paul’s activities and wellbeing.
It’s likely that the Ephesian believers would’ve been discouraged about Paul’s imprisonment.
They’d be encouraged to read the letter that we’ve been studying and to hear directly about Paul from one
of his ministry partners.
Amazingly, the one in chains was concerned about the comfort of others.
It’s safe to say that this is a good example for all of us to follow when our circumstances aren’t as want
them to be - to focus on the concerns of others.
Paul closes the letter with a typical benediction.
* 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be
with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
As we continue the closing metaphor of the truth of Ephesians, we come to the importance of Battlefield
Communication
It was September 1944.
British Field Marshall Montgomery hoped to end World War 2 by Christmas.
His plan had a glorious name — Operation Market Garden.
It sounds like a county fair.
It was the largest airborne operation in history - over 34,000 airborne troops and 50,000 ground forces.
It failed.
Not because of bad strategy.
Not because of inferior troops.
It failed because nobody could talk to anybody.
The radios stopped working.
The wooded landscape killed the signals.
The battalions couldn't reach each other.
Here's the part that stings.
The signals officers knew the radios were a problem before the operation.
They filed that concern where most pre-battle concerns go - nowhere.
The forests swallowed up the signals as predicted.
Ten thousand elite paratroopers were completely isolated and slowly surrounded.
Meanwhile, supply planes kept flying overhead, dropping food and ammunition.
But they landed in zones the Germans had already retaken.
They were essentially resupplying the enemy while the British starved.
Nothing says military precision like delivering rations to the people shooting at you.
Of some 8,900 men, barely over 3,900 escaped.
Afterward, Field Marshall Montgomery called it a success, well, ninety percent successful, to be exact.
It meant the Netherlands would spend another winter under German occupation.
Their Prince Bernhard had a response.
He said, "My country cannot afford another ‘success’ from Montgomery."
Now think of the Apostle Paul, writing from a Roman imprisonment.
He’s living in chains.
By every measure he’s cut off, isolated, and finished.
Yet he's in constant contact with his Commander, praying, sending Tychicus, asking others to pray.
His one concern? - that when he opens his mouth, the right words come out - gospel-spreading words.
The man in chains is better connected than an army of ten thousand men with radios.
Which leaves us with an uncomfortable question.
We have every communication advantage Paul never had.
So what's our excuse for being out of communication or not being on the same page with God’s plan.
I hope that gaining a better understanding of our battle communication, will help you to.
1. BATTLE FOR OTHERS THROUGH PRAYER.
* 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all
perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
While the NAS, NIV, and RSV give verse 18 as beginning a new sentence, the original Greek connects it with
the previous verses about the Armor of God and the battle that’s waging.
The first detail that can help you to battle for others through prayer is that -
1a. PRAYER IS TO BE A CONSTANT CONVERSATION WITH GOD.
* 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Prayer is involved in our defending ourselves and maintaining what the armor represents.
Prayer is how we are to stay alert,
acknowledging God’s TRUE truth as our belt
pursuing personal righteousness as our breastplate
reflecting on the secure footing of our salvation as our shoes
standing firm in faith as it deflects the devils lies as a shield
as a helmet, dwelling on our final salvation at the coming of Christ
learning and meditating on God’s holy Word as a sword that keeps the enemy at bay.
You could say that we put on God’s Armor and keep it on with constant prayer.
Prayer is our resource for keeping in the fight.
And it is also our principal weapon in the fight of our lives for all parts of our lives for all lifelong.
This is the sense that we’re to get by the command to be praying
The different descriptions of prayer are the general form/prayer and what it means to bring specific needs
to God, which is called supplication.
The term prayer, according to Bill Trasher means to generally talk with God
Praying at all times doesn’t mean that we should be always on our knees.
Instead it means that we should be living in relationship with God.
As with any relationship, we can’t really say we have a good one if communication isn’t happening.
As John MacArthur writes, “we may pray publicly or privately; in loud cries, in soft whispers, or silently;
deliberately and planned or spontaneously; while sitting, standing, kneeling, or even lying down; at
home or in church; while working or while traveling; with hands folded or raised; with eyes open or
closed;… For the faithful, Spirit-filled Christian, every place becomes a place of prayer.”
When tempted, we bring it to God for help.
When we’re in the midst of something wonderful, we’re thanking God.
When we’re grieved by the evil around us, we lay it before the Lord.
When we’re wronged, we turn the situation over to Him.
When we interact with an unbeliever, we lift their need for salvation to Him and ask Him to use us.
We should take our every need to Him first and seek His solution.
This is part of what it means to be walking by the Spirit, which happens when we’re surrendered to God’s
will and dependent on Him.
And our constant call to be walking by the Spirit is why our praying should be in the Spirit as well.
Praying in the Spirit could be described as praying while surrendered to God, empowered by God, and
focused on God.
This isn’t the use of a spiritual language but is how every Christian should pray when they pray.
Praying in the Spirit comes with the assurance that the Holy Spirit is interpreting our prayers for us.
This means we don’t have to worry that we might be praying for the wrong things like our will instead of
God’s
We should also be encouraged that our prayers are powerful not because of our personal striving.
They’re empowered by the one who knows the mind of God.
1b. IT’S CHALLENGING TO KEEP PRAYING AND TO KEEP IT FOCUSED ON OTHERS.
* To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
With the understanding of how we’re to fight, we’re to keep it up with perseverance.
This is an acknowledgement that prayer (as easy an activity as it is) is hard to maintain.
We all know this challenge.
No wonder that we’re encouraged to keep it up from all ends of the New Testament.
Jesus told a parable of a widow who was continually petitioning a judge and we’re told in -
* Luke 18:1 [Jesus told] the parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
In Romans 12:12, we’re told “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Paul wrote to the Philippians in -
* Philippians 4:6 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And in Colossians 4:2 we’re told, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Even the last human statement in the Bible is a prayer for the Lord to return and for us to experience His
grace in the meantime.
As the Bible closes with Revelation 22, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
In our passage, the constancy and span of our call to prayer is marked by the 4-uses of the word all.
It points to the constancy of this important weapon.
On this, RC Sproul writes, “Just as a soldier on the battle line has to keep in constant communication with
his general headquarters and his commanding officer, so the Christian who is on the battle line must be
in constant communication with his Lord. He might be fully equipped with all of the armor, but if he is
cut off from personal communication with his own commander, then he will be isolated and vulnerable.”
The last use of the word “all” directs us to be praying for all the saints.
Prayer should be how we minister to others constantly, although our ministry shouldn’t be limited to
prayer.
But our prayers should be far less self-centered than they typically are.
As Marcus Barth wrote,
“Nothing less is suggested than that the life and strife of the saints be one great prayer to God,
that this prayer be offered in ever new forms however good or bad the circumstances, and that
this prayer not be self-centered but express the need and hope of all the saints.”
You know, I’ve always been fascinated with a military tactic known as “painting the target.”
I don’t know if it’s necessary anymore, but what it involves is a soldier aiming a laser at a target.
And with the laser as it’s guide, a weapon like a hellfire missile is able to strike with pinpoint accuracy.
This image of painting the target helps me to understand our role in prayer.
We’re standing firm in our full armor as we’re behind enemy lines, in this world but not of it.
And we’re to be calling on God to remove strongholds or to soften hearts with His grace bombs rather
than a hellfire missiles.
But different than military operators who paint the target until they watch it be destroyed, we don’t
typically get to see immediate results from our special operations.
And this can be discouraging.
It can cause us to lose heart.
We can easily let our shield drop a little bit and start believing the lie that our prayers don’t matter.
God recognizes this temptation.
And that’s why were told, “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”
Think just in terms of some of the missions that we’re supporting.
What if the Labrados in the Philippines are held up in their ministry because we’re not praying for them?
What if the obstacle of Muslim violence is intimidating our Boran brothers and sisters because we’re not
painting the target for God to drop a bunker buster on their hard hearts?
What if the staff at Arbor Christian Academy in the DR experience discouragement because we’re not
supplying them with the protective covering of prayer that God has intended.
Before we move on, let me share I think are 2 reasons why our prayers usually run dry according to our
verses.
2 reasons why our prayers run dry.
1. We usually “talk the issue to death” with other people.
2. We spend too much of it praying for ourselves.
I believe that, if we can change these two facts, we’ll see a big difference in our prayers.
The second way I want to challenge you about our battle communication is to -
2. BATTLE FOR AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE THROUGH PRAYER.
* 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of
the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
A step in learning how to do something right is where someone else does something and we watch.
* 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of
the gospel,
We have the opportunity to learn about prayer from one of the most effective Christians that ever lived.
Having told us to pray for all the saints, Paul requests prayer for himself from his original readers.
Here’s a few facts that I’m struck by from these verses.
First, EVEN AN APOSTLE NEEDED OTHERS TO PRAY FOR HIM.
As one of Jesus’ only 12 apostles, we’d think that Paul would have special skills that allowed him to work
solo as one of God’s special operators.
Instead, we learn that he was dependent on God being at work.
And God works in response to prayer.
Secondly, EVEN AN APOSTLE NEEDED TO BE GIVEN WHAT TO SAY.
Paul’s request that he wanted intercession for was that the right words would come to him as needed.
The term he used for boldly means confidence, courage, and fearlessness.
It’s also a good example for us that Paul isn’t asking that he’d say the right things to lead to his release.
Instead, he’s asking that he might explain the gospel with clarity and courage.
Paul was set apart from his conversion for moments like this - to be the apostle and eventually to represent
the gospel before kings.
This was foretold when he was radically converted to Christ -
The Lord said this of Paul in Acts 9:15 - “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the
Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
The paradox of his situation is shown when describes himself as an ambassador in chains.
* 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul recognizes that he’s an ambassador for God.
An ambassador is someone sent by a leader or government to speak on their behalf with full authority.
But he’s certainly not being treated like an honored ambassador is typically treated - especially an
ambassador of God.
Just because the Romans don’t recognize his position, doesn’t make it any less true.
The last fact that I observe is that EVEN AN APOSTLE RECOGNIZES THE NEED TO STAY ON MISSION.
Paul had appealed to Ceasar.
There would be a great temptation to hold back rather than to speak as he ought to speak.
I appreciate Paul’s recognition of the temptation to be mealy-mouthed or to hold back the truth.
John Stott writes of this,
“What concerns Paul most … is not that his wrist may be unchained, but that his mouth may be opened in
testimony; not that he may be set free, but that the gospel may spread freely and without hindrance.”
It definitely appears like Paul stayed on-mission.
We’re told at the close of the book of Acts -
* Acts 28:30–31 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who
came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all
boldness and without hindrance.
We live in the most connected moment in human history.
You are carrying in your pocket a device that can reach virtually any person on earth in seconds.
You can send a message to someone in Seoul, get a response from someone in São Paulo, and video-call
someone in Nairobi — all during a commercial break.
We have more communication technology than any civilization that has ever existed.
We can express ourselves to the world and it could go viral around the world in a moment.
But also, according to nearly every study conducted in the last decade, we feel more isolated, more
disconnected, and more unheard than any previous generation on record.
We have maximized our ability to broadcast and nearly eliminated our ability to listen.
Which makes Paul's instructions from a Roman prison cell in roughly 62 A.D. rather pointed.
He's in chains. His communication options are: one letter, one trusted friend, and prayer.
And his concern — for himself and for the church — is not that they talk more but that they talk rightly.
To God, for each other, with perseverance.
Apparently the problem was never the number of avenues to express ourselves.
Our problem has always been who we’re communicating with and who we’re communicating about.
Paul’s benediction has a special tone to it for me as I spend the next 12 weeks on sabbatical.
* 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be
with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
It’s important for a pastor to be able to take some time to assess who he is when he’s not a pastor.
I ask that you be praying for me that the Lord will engrain a personal vision for me and my family.
And I will be praying for you.
I’ll especially be praying for you to have peace and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
and that you’ll experience grace and be numbers with those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love
incorruptible.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
